The Rovering Member
Well-Known Member
It is definitely a car that deserves & rewards all those little improvements. The interior is looking great.
My 2000SC Auto daily driver
- Thread starter FrazzleTC
- Start date
As mentioned in previous posts, the engine had developed an increasingly noticeable oil leak at the back of the head, which was diagnosed as a failed O-ring at the back of the head. As a result, it was time to take the head off, and replace all of the gaskets, while cleaning everything up, and getting valve clearances perfect. As I'm something of a novice where such surgery is concerned, I enlisted the help of Michael (redrover of this parish) to disassemble everything. I set to work, removing ancilleries on the Saturday afternoon, so the carb, heatshield, various hoses, the heater rail, and a few other bits and bobs. This meant that when Michael arrived on Sunday, we'd get a clear run.
The first obstacle that we encountered was in getting the locking pin in place, which was almost impossible. We then measured the valve clearances, which were all over the place. Once the tensioner was held in place with cable ties, we eventually lifted the head off. We then scraped all of the old gaskets off, and set to work, cleaning the head up with petrol. We then rubbed the shims down until they were just right, as I hadn't any other sized shims.
The gaskets were all smeared in a little lithium grease before fitting.
Once the head back on, we reconnected the ancilleries, and after double-checking everything, the car burst into life.
This makes it sound so simple, and quick, but it took quite a while, though it was an excellent learning experience, and Michael's help was invaluable!
I did take photos, but they're not very good, as they were taken in a rush.
The next aim for the 2000 is to get it through its MOT later this week!
In other Rover-related news, I've now got a third Rover, again. I've bought my 75 back from my parents, which now sports an excellent LPG conversion!
I got it back about a week ago, and have done 400 miles in it already. A lot cheaper to run than it was!
The first obstacle that we encountered was in getting the locking pin in place, which was almost impossible. We then measured the valve clearances, which were all over the place. Once the tensioner was held in place with cable ties, we eventually lifted the head off. We then scraped all of the old gaskets off, and set to work, cleaning the head up with petrol. We then rubbed the shims down until they were just right, as I hadn't any other sized shims.
The gaskets were all smeared in a little lithium grease before fitting.
Once the head back on, we reconnected the ancilleries, and after double-checking everything, the car burst into life.
This makes it sound so simple, and quick, but it took quite a while, though it was an excellent learning experience, and Michael's help was invaluable!
I did take photos, but they're not very good, as they were taken in a rush.
The next aim for the 2000 is to get it through its MOT later this week!
In other Rover-related news, I've now got a third Rover, again. I've bought my 75 back from my parents, which now sports an excellent LPG conversion!
I got it back about a week ago, and have done 400 miles in it already. A lot cheaper to run than it was!
Dave3066
Well-Known Member
FrazzleTC said:I did take photos, but they're not very good, as they were taken in a rush.
Fraser that's just not good enough I'm afraid. We expect only the highest quality photographs from you so next time no rushing please :wink:
Great job you two. It's a very satisfying job but does take a bit of time.
How did you manage to get the air filter lid off without removing the whole assembly from the carb? There's not enough clearance to the inner wing on mine no matter how I orientate the lid so I always have to unbolt the whole thing to change the air filter :? :roll:
Dave
What I've done is to cut a small slit in the metal filter housing, which means that if I manipulate the filter slightly, I can remove the cover and filter quite easily, by lining up the slit with the bolt and just moving it over. I can take a wee photo in the next few days to let you see.
Yeah, the O ring was absolutely solid, and in a poor state. Hopefully the new one will solve the leak, but only time will tell.
I've adjusted the ignition timing today, on my evening run, and can now report that the car is far smoother than before, and seems rather more effortless! One of the heater hoses split, which was likely as a result of my over-eager refitting, so this evening that's been replaced with a section of hose, cut down to size
I've adjusted the ignition timing today, on my evening run, and can now report that the car is far smoother than before, and seems rather more effortless! One of the heater hoses split, which was likely as a result of my over-eager refitting, so this evening that's been replaced with a section of hose, cut down to size
JVY
Active Member
Glad you got that sorted Fraser. In terms of the o-ring, my experience was that even the slightest distortion or loss of elasticity can result in it leaking. If you have ran the engine for a while and there's no leak, I'm sure you'll be OK.
I'll bet there is a diifference driving the car and smoother idling and acceleration with your clearances sorted.
Well done Michael for helping out .
I'll bet there is a diifference driving the car and smoother idling and acceleration with your clearances sorted.
Well done Michael for helping out
.It's been quite a while since I last updated this!
First of all, the cylinderhead has been retorqued, and the car has done a fair number of miles lately. It's great fun to use for commuting again, and seems to attract far more attention than expected when parked outside work.
As a result of all of this use, I've noticed a lot of silt in the coolant, so I've flushed the system a few times, which has greatly improved matters, though I reckon that a couple of further shots are required to get it completely clear again!
An undersealing session is on the cards, though a service is definitely the most urgent priority. In addition, there's another knock at the front end, so I'll be investigating that soon.
In the meantime, my weekly fuel bill has doubled in the last few weeks, and I've been using the car for a lot of runs in the evenings, which really make it all worthwhile. Here are a few recent snaps of the car out and about.
First of all, the cylinderhead has been retorqued, and the car has done a fair number of miles lately. It's great fun to use for commuting again, and seems to attract far more attention than expected when parked outside work.
As a result of all of this use, I've noticed a lot of silt in the coolant, so I've flushed the system a few times, which has greatly improved matters, though I reckon that a couple of further shots are required to get it completely clear again!
An undersealing session is on the cards, though a service is definitely the most urgent priority. In addition, there's another knock at the front end, so I'll be investigating that soon.
In the meantime, my weekly fuel bill has doubled in the last few weeks, and I've been using the car for a lot of runs in the evenings, which really make it all worthwhile. Here are a few recent snaps of the car out and about.
FrazzleTC wrote,...
Hi Fraser,
Are you using tap water to fill fill the system or do you use distilled/demineralised water? If you are using tap water, then that will help to explain the silt in the coolant.
Great photos as always, the weather looks lovely and warm too.
Ron.
Hi Fraser,
Are you using tap water to fill fill the system or do you use distilled/demineralised water? If you are using tap water, then that will help to explain the silt in the coolant.
Great photos as always,
the weather looks lovely and warm too.Ron.